Aisha Huang, an alleged illegal miner, claims that she was not informed about the prohibition of re-entry into Ghana after her repatriation.

During a hearing at the Accra High Court, Aisha Huang stated that she could not provide the exact date of her re-entry into Ghana but asserted that it occurred in July 2022.

In opposition to the prosecution led by Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Aisha Huang denied the accusation that, despite her illegal stay in Ghana, she obtained a non-citizen Ghana Card.

“If I knew I was illegally in Ghana, I could not have entered Ghana to apply for a non-citizen Ghana Card,” the accused person said.

During the trial, when the prosecution accused Aisha of being in Ghana to continue her illegal activities, she broke down in tears. However, the trial Judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, issued a warning, saying, "Stop the interjection with tears. It does not affect me. I have developed a thick skin over such gestures."

During further cross-examination, Aisha revealed that when she re-entered Ghana, she applied for both a National Identification Card and a COVID-19 Vaccination Card. She stated that someone accompanied her to a facility where she received her COVID-19 vaccination, but she could not recall the exact date when the prosecution suggested it was April 24, 2022.

After returning to Ghana, Aisha resided in Ahowdwo, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. She disagreed with the prosecution's claim that she moved to Tamale in the Northern Region intentionally to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination card while still living in Kumasi. Instead, she explained that she traveled to Tamale in search of someone who owed her money and took the opportunity to get her COVID-19 Vaccination Card.

Aisha refuted the prosecution's allegation that she applied for a new Ghana Card with the intention of staying in Ghana.

Her lawyer, Miracle Atachi, objected to the tendering of the National Identification Authority (NIA) application through Aisha, arguing that it should be presented by NIA officials instead. However, the trial judge ruled that Aisha had admitted to signing the application form and that her name was on it. Therefore, the form was tendered through Aisha and admitted as evidence.

Aisha informed the court that she had notified NIA officials about a name change and was instructed to go to court to formalize it. However, she expressed uncertainty about the procedure for conducting a name change in court.

The hearing is set to continue on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Aisha is currently facing charges related to illegal mining operations without a license, facilitating illegal mining, and re-entering Ghana despite being prohibited. She has denied these charges and is currently in lawful custody awaiting further proceedings.